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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also warned to pull out of a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on products from China incurring an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – reflected language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by observers as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, planned at a conference in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.